Tag Archives: inspiration

Oct 08 2017
2 Comments
Blog Post

Like It or Lump It

I did something really scary today, way scarier than when a mahoosive house spider dropped on my daughters leg mid-shower the other morning before school…..

I took some pics and put them on my social media. I know, it sounds pathetic, especially because I practise the art of pic-sharing online most days thanks to Instagram and being a birrof a narcissist….no really, I am. I love a good selfie, B&W street scene, and pre-planned Insta-story as much as the next weirdo, but today’s pics were a bit different.

IMG_1248

About 18 months ago I mislaid my beloved Nikon DSLR after a weekend away with my arsehole of an ex. You’ve no idea how gutting it was to find I had safely stored the SD cards containing pics of him grinning at Nou Camp, but lost the sodding camera.

Anyway, I finally replaced the camera this week (I know, I rock at procrastination) with a base model Canon instead, and its freaking awesome. I’ve not got much idea what I’m doing other than point and shoot at this stage, but taking a wander around the docks, Liverpool today while eldest curly kid was at a party, was pretty awesome.

IMG_1250

I took a fashion illustration class earlier this month over at Unit 51, Baltic Triangle and spent a blissful Saturday afternoon re-learning how to draw figures (in various sassy poses) under the expert watchful eye of Pro Illustrator and Photographer, Kitty Fuller.

Untitled

After much scribbling, hatching, shading (and me generally mumbling ffs), Kitty (also known as Sarah) noticed that I had an affinity for a long, straight line and that linear was my design style. It struck a chord with me and I was determined to find a subject for my first shoot with the Canon, that offered up the same look and feel.

Imagine my delight at being able to freely photograph Stanley Dock on a grey, drab Sunday afternoon! No really, I was totally chuffed. Some of the warehouse buildings as well as the old Heritage Market and Ten Streets earmarked site are symmetrical heaven! Typically I had filled a SD card within a few minutes, but these are the four images I really quite like.

IMG_1253

The scary part in all this? Is actually sharing the pictures. Art is such a personal thing. One person may rave about a pic which can be quite easily labelled shite by another, so I’ve made a conscious decision to shoot and share the scenes, people, events and things I love, and not what’s commercially ‘In’ to impress the digital masses.

IMG_1251

If you’re an experienced tog and want to share some tips on how to get the best from your Canon, please do drop me a line, you’ll find me on katereillyjames@gmail.com equally if you want to send some constructive criticism or a high five my way, that’s cool too.

Here’s to many weeks and months of taking pics and finding my ‘style’. Apologies in advance for being a camera bore, but I faffing love this city and sharing it with the tinterweb might just be my new favourite thing. (Apart from collecting Nikes of course)…..(and those processo freezies from Aldi)…….(and Maoam).

x

 

 

 

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,
Mar 17 2017
Leave a comment
Blog Post

Five More Years

I have every intention of writing a St Patrick’s Day piece today, given it’s the celebration of all things green, white and orange, but having logged into my website, poised to type, something way more important was brought to my attention.

It turns out that I started blogging 5 years ago today. I’m mega chuffed about this coincidence for a number of reasons. 1 – because I will never forget this anniversary ever again, given the date, 2 – I have another excuse to go for a drink, and 3 – its been FIVE years….wow! I’m absolutely chuffed to be able to confidently say that I love writing now even more than I did back in 2012.

low-back-herniated-disk-before-and-after-prolotherapy-cure

Yep…..it’s goosed!

Having launched myself into the passenger seat of my car, one sunny spring day back in 2012, I slipped and ruptured two discs in my lower back, and thus a writing career was born! Actually it was more like the following 9 months of daily agony that encouraged me to write as there was little else I could do while I waited for neurosurgery to fix it!

Who’d have thought that my humble, little Geordie’s Girl blog, and the comfort it gave me to get though months of insomnia, waiting around in hospitals, and the early days of recovery, would blossom into a year at college to gain my NCTJ qualification, a junior writers job, many freelance roles, radio broadcast opportunities, my first ever hosting gig and of course my beloved editorial position with The Guide Liverpool. All that from a slipped disc, not bad going huh?

lucky-st-patrick-day

If I’ve learned one thing from this rollercoaster journey its that luck, Irish or otherwise can only get you so far. Hard work, determination and integrity are the real stepping stones to the top.

Here’s to St Patrick, and five more years!

x

 

 

 

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Dec 30 2016
Leave a comment
Blog Post

Less Resolution More Revolution

I can’t quite remember from who or where I’ve stolen that title but it’s a belter isn’t it?

2017 is all about making waves for me, causing a personal revolution and generally saying yes to whatever comes my way so I’m ditching the unrealistic resolutions and looking at them as fun goals instead!

I’ve thought long and hard and come up with a compact list that is realistic yet challenging. It might look fairly basic to you but I’m the type who derives immense joy from ticking off lists.

(I’ll admit to writing some tasks on my list when I’ve already done them to give myself a bit of a boost, I know, I’m weird).

So anyway, 2016 was pretty damn awesome for me, so I’m going to have to go some to up the ante.

Here we go…..

kasbah_ruins_ait_benhaddou_morocco

Travel Inspiration – Kasbah Ruins, Morocco

1 – Spend at least 30 days out of the country and visit two places/cities/countries I’ve never been to before. Morocco is currently top of my list followed by the lost city of Petra, Jordan. Eeeeek, excited!

linda-rodin-goals

Hair and Style goals – Linda Rodin and pooch, Winky.

2 – Right this one is huge (for me). I’m going to stop dying my hair. Oh god I’ve said it. It’s no secret that I’m destined to be a silver fox, and despite a 5-month-long failed attempt earlier this year, I’m gonna give it another go.

Thank you to the lovely lady on reception at Radio City for encouraging me to embrace the grey! Much respect, and you look bloody fabulous x

 

je-logo

Goodbye Chicken Fried Rice, it was good while it lasted. I love you x

 

3 – I’m on a roll now! I’m also giving up take-away. Not all crappy food, (I really love pic n mix), just actual take away. No Just Eat, no Deliveroo and no deliciously gooey and chocolatey fabulousness from TreatyPie. I must prepare and cook actual food….for a whole year.

social-media

Repeat After Me: I Do Not Need To Check My Phone Every Five Minutes…..

4 – Technology goal. No switching my phone on until 9am (kids in safely in school and nursery etc) and off again at 8pm EVERY.SINGLE.NIGHT. Yep.

sushi-rainbow-roll

Oh Hi pretty food that wont give me diabetes!

5 – Try Sushi! Utterly ridiculous that I’ve made it to the ripe old age of 34 and I’ve been too scared to try sushi! January for sure this one!

delta-2

Problem Booking Taxi: No available cars in your area…..til 2018…..unlucky

6 – Last one. No taxi’s. I need to learn to manage my time so that I don’t have to last minute.com all the time and ring a Delta. Plus I’m hardly Rockefeller so think of all the savings! Could pay for one of my trips, girl with a plan.

So that’s it. 365 days of cute bite-size, cute food, foreign adventures, silver hair, healthy meal prep, Instagram posts (between the hours of 9 and 8 only) and generally improving life as I know it.

Doesn’t matter how you do it, resolutions, goals whatever, be happy and make 2017 count.

Happy New Year

x

 

 

 

 

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
May 27 2016
Leave a comment
Blog Post, Uncategorized

May I?

I’ve failed my exams this month, spectacularly. I’ve so much respect for print journalists who can knock out 100 words per minute in shorthand, especially when dealing with sensitive subjects, noisy environments and random accents. You people are like, magical or something.

Sadly I’m not sure I’m cut out to join the elite, despite my brilliant shorthand lecturer persevering with me, I have hit the 80 wpm wall and cant seem to block out all the nonsense long enough to hit that coveted centenary mark.

I bowled into college, 12 minutes late last Friday morning, amid a flurry of phone calls that wound me right up, only to realise I had no pen (not even my trusty Army, Be The Best biro) or paper to transcribe on to, urgh.

shorthand

One emotional meltdown and four and a half minutes later I had failed my 100 wpm exam. Undeterred by the fact I was busy trying to concentrate, the drama continued through-out the break and into the 80 wpm re-sit exam an hour later. Plus some kid was sitting in MY seat. Failed again, head was most definitely elsewhere and not in the world of Teeline.

I’ve stressed myself out so much this month that the stomach ulcer I cultivated back in October decided to make an unwelcome return resulting in horrendous sickness for three long weeks. I didn’t even lose any weight, no need.

My daily diet of strawberry laces, Costa and cake wasn’t helping. I routinely resort back to the usual excuse; single mum of three, studying, working to build contacts, reputation and an attractive portfolio, plus running a home…..oh and my cat popped four kittens out on Sunday morning. I’m a bit busy to say the least and I’ve survived for too long on nervous energy and sugar!

So on to the positives! I now eat food, proper grown up food, and the biggest surprise is…..I actually like it! (munching porridge with grated apple and banana in it right now in fact). I feel so much better in just 4/5 days its remarkable. If you see me loitering around KFC, you have permission to kick my ass.

And because I feel better I’ve been able to get involved with some awesome events. I spent four idyllic days in Barcelona and sat in the press box and conference room at the Nou Camp. I’ve solved a murder mystery at the The Empire Theatre with Agatha Christie’s The Mouse Trap.

I’ve (unsuccessfully) tried to nick a lamb from Farmer Ted’s ( they’re so bloody cute) and held an Amazonian tree frog! I’ve rocked out with a bunch of ten year olds at a disco party and ate my (substantial) body weight in Army field kitchen chicken jalfrezi at the Liverpool Food & Drink Festival, Sefton Park.

I had a bit of a snog with Paddy McGuinness (sorry Woernee) at Madam Tussauds, Blackpool and tickled a stingray at Sea Life Centre. Watching the Kop come alive at Liverpool V Chelsea a couple of weeks ago was phenomenal, I’ve never experienced anything like that atmosphere, and the die hard fans tell me it was rubbish at that game

I had the privilege of cuddling brand new baby Elliot and feeling so much love for my wonderful friend Lisa who brought him into the world in a convenient 20 minutes! The same day I had root canal, two fillings and a cocktail for lunch…..and a 3 hour mid afternoon nap as a result!

My little dudes have had a blast in Blackpool, 518ft up in the air at the top of the Blackpool Tower, gasped at the awesome acrobatics at the circus and built their very own tower replica from Lego. We went back to school and walked the corridors of Broadgreen International school, 17 years after I left, whole separate blog post on this shortly.

I’ve photographed my own fantastic city from the roof of the Hope Street Hotel, had a brew with the new Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Roz Gladden and begun work on my first ever complete fashion collection, ready to show in Autumn 2016.

Ulcer schmulcer. Thank you so very much to the Alice and Greg, Jay Hynd and Amanda Moss for your continued support and thrilling opportunities to write. There are tonnes of new photo’s in the gallery here and check out my most recent work with The Guide Liverpool here.

Bring it on June!

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,